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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5 |
I'm a bluegrass guy, play banjo and mandolin. My 7 year old son plays guitar. Our instructor gave us a backing track to a song we're working on and we loved it. In conversation, I asked about getting them for more songs.
He told me he made them in Band in a Box, and that if I had the software I could make them for any song I wanted. So I bought it.
I've been all over YouTube watching tutorials, and *thought* I understood what to do. Seems fairly simple. BUT...
Everything sounds like a circus organ. I set up my style as one of the bluegrass styles, but nothing changes. Still a circus organ. I *thought* some of the RealTracks came with the version I bought (just the Pro, no added stuff), but they don't seem to be anywhere that I can find.
HELP!!!!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,893
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,893 |
The Pro version includes:
Band-in-a-Box 2014
RealBand 2014
Pro RealCombos: Over 30 RealTracks instruments in 9 bands and RealDrums Set 1.
Bonus RealTracks Set 1: Classical String Quartet
MIDI SuperTracks Sets 1-3: a total of 46 MIDI SuperTracks
MIDI Styles Sets 0-3 plus 100 assorted: Over 300 MIDI styles total.
MIDI Soloist Set 1: Over 100 MIDI Soloists in a variety of instruments
MIDI Melodist Set 1: Over 60 MIDI Melodists in a variety of instruments
Loops Set 1: Nature Sounds and Percussion Loops
Artist Performance Set 1
So Real tracks are quite limited (no sure you will be using those classical stings...). The real combo may not address your bluegrass needs.
So a lot of midi which requires a good sounding synth (which last time I checked does not come with BIAB). There are many available but will cost ya <<Download the free 30 trial of CoyoteForte Dxi to see if your sounds improve>>
Last edited by jazzmandan; 09/15/14 10:52 AM.
BIAB – 2026, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,893
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,893 |
Here are the Real Tracks you have. The are grouped as "RealCombos", but can be used individually and combined with midi. But again not sure how well these will work with bluegrass.
Jazz Swing Band with Acoustic Bass, Piano, Acoustic Guitar & Tenor Sax SoloistDemo Bass, Acoustic, Jazz Sw 140 Solo demo
Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm Jazz Sw 140 Solo demo
Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm Jazz Freddie Sw 140 Solo demo
Sax, Tenor, Jazz Sw 140 Solo demo
JazzBrushes RealDrums
Country Ballad Band with Pedal SteelDemo Bass, Electric, Pop HalfNotes Ev 085 Solo demo
Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking Ev 085 Solo demo
Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Ev 085 Solo demo
Pedal Steel, Background Ev 085 Solo demo
NashvilleEven8 RealDrums
Pop-Rock Band with "Dreamy" GuitarDemo Bass, Electric, PopHalfNotesSync Ev 120 Solo demo
Organ, B3, Background Pop Ev 120 Solo demo
Guitar, Electric, Rhythm Dreamy Ev 120 Solo demo
Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Ev 120 Solo demo
NashvilleEven8 RealDrums
Medium Country Swing band with Pedal SteelDemo Bass, Electric, Pop Sw 120 Solo demo
Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking Hank Sw 120 Solo demo
Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Hank Sw 120 Solo demo
Pedal Steel, Background Hank Sw 120 Solo demo
NashvilleSwing8 RealDrums
Medium Rock band with two Electric GuitarsDemo Bass, Electric, Metal Ev 120 Solo demo
Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming AcRockBright Ev 120 Solo demo
Guitar, Electric, Rhythm ElecRockArp Ev 120 Solo demo
Guitar, Electric, Rhythm ElecRockDirty Ev 120 Solo demo
RockHardModernEv8 RealDrums
Medium-Slow Jazz Quartet with Soprano Sax SoloistDemo Bass, Acoustic, Jazz Sw 110 Solo demo
Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm Jazz Sw 110 Solo demo
Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm Jazz Freddie Sw 110 Solo demo
Sax, Soprano, Soloist Jazz Swing Sw 110 Solo demo
JazzBrushes RealDrums
Jazz Swing with Piano Demo Bass, Acoustic, Jazz Swing Sw 140Solo demo
Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm Jazz Sw 140 Solo demo
JazzBrushes^ RealDrums
Even 8ths Acoustic Country with Pedal SteelDemo - Coming soon Bass, Electric, Pop HalfNotes Ev 085 Solo demo - Coming soon
Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking Ev 085 Solo demo - Coming soon
Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Ev 085 Solo demo - Coming soon
Pedal Steel, Background Ev 085 Solo demo - Coming soon
NashvilleEven8 RealDrums
Dreamy Pop Electric GuitarDemo Bass, Electric, PopHalfNotesSync Ev 120 Solo demo
Organ, B3, Background Pop Ev 120 Solo demo
Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Ev 120 Solo demo
Guitar, Electric, Rhythm Dreamy Ev 120 Solo demo
NashvilleEven8 RealDrums
BIAB – 2026, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,893
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,893 |
And finally, Welcome to the forum. I wish you had stopped in before you purchased so we could have given more input to your purchase decision. But nevertheless the forum is here to help you going forward. BIAB is neither easy or intuitive to make good music. But it does what no other software can - it just takes a commitment from you to work with it. Good luck!
BIAB – 2026, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5 |
So what you're saying is I have to buy something else to get what I already bought to sound like what I thought it was supposed to sound like? Wow... did you follow all that?!?!?
Okay, so what is it I need? I just want the sounds of an acoustic guitar, bass, mandolin, banjo, and (as a bonus) a dobro. Not a circus organ/calliope sounding thing.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,893
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,893 |
Unfortunately, I did understand exactly what you said...
Download and install the free 30 day trial of Coyote Forte from the pgmusic website. It should be a big improvement.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,893
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,893 |
BIAB – 2026, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5 |
Okay, so after talking with customer service I see what I need. Too bad the website wasn't more clear before I purchased! Live and learn I guess.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,893
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,893 |
Full 30 day return or credit on any purchase. The general rule of thumb with BIAB is buy the most you can afford.
Second rule of thumb is to buy during a sale period which comes once at each end of year.
BIAB – 2026, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 600
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 600 |
Truth is, I think you have enough to get started if you get the Coyote forte synth. And here is why I say that. Bluegrass is a pretty straight forward style and the midi styles work very well for the genre. Seems that your problem is more dealing with the sounds. Once yuo learn how to set up the sounds in the synth to play the parts you want you will be well on your way. Then (and then will come) when you are a little more knowledgeable about the program you will be able to pick and choose the additional items that would improve the sound of what you're working on. Or you could do what I and several others here have done and just buy everything PG has to offer and not use a 10th of it. But hey, we can say we got it!
Good luck and stick with it. the program will do what you want if you take the time to learn it and use what comes with it.
Dell 610 dual Monitor, win 7-10, Sonar Plat, ProTools 10 & 11, Reaper 4, BIAB/real Band 2022, Easy Drummer, Superior Drummer, Kontact Essentials, Personnel Orchestra, Korg Legacy Analog & Digital
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,486
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,486 |
Hi caedenspa,
Welcome to the forums.
Have you spoken to your instructor to find out about his or her BIAB setup (i.e. what version, what package, what extras were purchased, etc.)?
Regards,
Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697 |
When a noob says the sounds are like a calliope or my personal favorite, a kazoo, all that means is you haven't installed and set up a midi synth. Biab ships with the Coyote Wavetable which uses your Windows software synth that your computer uses for sounds effects but it does have a full set of instruments. Since it's free with all PC's it sounds about as good as what you paid for it but it will get you started.
Out of all those vids, find the one that covers basic setup. After you actually hear the individual instruments then you can look into purchasing a better synth or buy some Real Tracks.
Biab like all digital audio computer programs is on a whole other planet than what you're used to but still, Biab is simpler than most. Just keep reading, asking questions and call Support. You'll get there.
Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5 |
Our instructor is a professional musician and has all the bells and whistles. He did warn me that it could get pricey...
After talking with CS, they informed me that I could by each of the Real Track Paks for $29 each. But to get all the bluegrass ones there were like 8 or 10 of them or something. I asked if there was a package deal if I bought all of them. No, but they offered to upgrade me to UltraPlusPak which gets me ALL the RealTracks for another $279, bringing my total out of pocket to $408.
I went on Amazon, and for $460 bought the EverythingPak, with the USB drive, overnight delivery, and got a refund for the Pro package I bought from PGMusic. More than I need? Yup. Will I ever use it to it's full capability? Nope. But it's there!
I'm sure I'll have tons more questions. Good to see the folks here are helpful - it is much appreciated!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 600
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 600 |
congrats. you're in it now!. Play with it and keep playing with it. Also plan on buying MORE!! I started out with BIAB 7.0 and couldn't get it to do what I wanted it to do for over 5-6 years. I finally solved my problems by buying a dedicated audio interface. What started out as a $79 software package has grown to a 7-8000 dollar setup and I still can't do what I want to do. BUT it's not the software thats holding me back now, its my ownn ability, talent and Timmmmmmmmme.........
Hey, good luck and have fun.
Dell 610 dual Monitor, win 7-10, Sonar Plat, ProTools 10 & 11, Reaper 4, BIAB/real Band 2022, Easy Drummer, Superior Drummer, Kontact Essentials, Personnel Orchestra, Korg Legacy Analog & Digital
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,486
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,486 |
The EverythingPak is great!
You'll have heaps of fun. Don't limit yourself to selecting only those Realtracks specifically designed for bluegrass work. Many of us on here find that Realtracks, from other styles we wouldn't normally use, have a great deal to offer.
All the best,
Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697 |
Many of us on here find that Realtracks, from other styles we wouldn't normally use, have a great deal to offer. This is one of the most powerful and least understood features of Biab. To keep things simple to start, all the tutorials talk about simply picking a style and inputting chords. That's fine and will get you started but when it comes to the RT's the styles basically mean nothing. They're merely a starting point. Say you have a bluegrass dobro on the guitar track. Just open the RT picker window for that track and pick something else. Anything else, like oh, say a funky R&B sax soloist. It will plug into your selected guitar bluegrass style just fine. Think about that for a moment and then you'll realize just how powerful and complex this program can get. Take this one step further and do the same thing in Real Band. Only in RB you have 48 tracks to do this with. You can take a basic style and maybe only keep one or two instruments from that original style and add 32 tracks of all kinds of other instruments from many different styles. It can get intense. Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,801
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,801 |
Bluegrass is one of the things BiaB & Real Band do exceedingly well. This is a song I composed in BB and then worked on in Real band using the real tracks.... no synths needed in RB... and yeah, Coyote or TTS are great basic synths to use for BB. http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=12544618To get good results you do need the "higher level" packages.... it's well worth the money. Think of it this way..... try hiring some studio cats to play a tune for you to practice with..... the cost of one session with real musicians and BB is paid for.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
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Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® users: Build 1237 is now available!
Already a Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows user? Stay up to date and download the build 1237 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
PowerTracks Pro 2026 for Windows is Here!
PowerTracks 2026 is here—bringing powerful new enhancements designed to make your production workflow faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.
The enhanced Mixer now shows Track Type and Instrument icons for instant track recognition, while a new grid option simplifies editing views. Non-floating windows adopt a modern title bar style, replacing the legacy blue bar.
The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.
Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!
Get started today—first-time packages start at just $49.
Already using PowerTracks Pro Audio? Upgrade for as little as $29 and enjoy the latest improvements!
Order now!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
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If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
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Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
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